Rail splice



Oct. 11, 1927.

A. s. KARR RAIL SPLICE INVENTOR WS'KML Filed M ayl5, 1927 Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES ANDREW s. KARR, or AVALON, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL SPLICE.

Applicationfiled May 18, 1927. Serial No. 190,994.

My invention relates to improvements in means for connecting the successive rails of a railway. lVhile not limited to railways of particular sorts nor to rails of particular size, I have developed the invention in application to the rails of coal-niine railways. The advantages are facility of assembly and continuing facility of separation, so that replacements may readily be made; and this combined with durability and adequacy.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figs. I and II are views in side elevation, and showing from opposite sides two rail ends united by my im proved connecting device. Fig. III is a view in horizontal section, on the plane indicated by the dotted line IIIIII, Fig. I. Fig. IV is a view in vertical and transverse section, on the plane indicated at IV-IV Fig. I. Fig. V is a view in perspectiveof one of the members which in cooperation constitute my improved connecting device.

The rail ends which are here shown to be united bv the device of my invention bear the reference numerals 1 and 2. Through the mid-webs of the rails and adjacent the ends orifices 11 and 12, 21 and 22 are formed. These orifices are conveniently arranged in line, as shown, and are properly spaced to receive the cooperating parts. Two straps 3 and 1 are provided, the longer strap 3 adapted at its ends to engage the orifices 12 and 22, the shorter to engage theorifices 11 and 21. Both straps are adapted to extend when in place, in snug contact upon opposite faces of the mid-webs of the rails, as clearly appears in Fig. III, and both straps at their ends are OlISQiJ and by'virtue of such offsets are adapted to enter and to extend through the orifices. The offset ends of the strap 3 terminate in longitudinally extending tongues 31 and 32 which when the strap is in place make contact upon the surfaces of the mid-web of the rails opposite those which the body of the strap 3 engages. The tongue 31 is short. Indeed, it might be proper to say merely that the offset end of the strap is notched; but the tongue 32 is relatively long. In assembly the end of strap 3 which carries the tongue 32 is first thrust through orifice 22. The strap then is swung to approximately its permanent position, and by slight relative movement in longitudinal direction between rail 1 and strap 3 the end of the strap which carries the tongue 31 is'introduc-ed through orifice 12 and the parts are brought to the positions in dicated in Fig. III. The orifice 12 is large enough to permit the movement necessary to render the tongue 31 effective as a. latch.

The strap 3 is here shown to be offset somewhat vertically in its longitudinal extent and when in place to engage the under face of the rail head. This offset, furthermore, affords clearance for the offset ends of strap 4t in their extension through ori tires 11. and. 21. The offset ends of the strap 1 are hook shaped and are adapted to engage the outer surface of the seated strap 3. In assembly the strap 3 first is applied and brought. to place in the manner described. The strap 4. is then applied, and, turning as it alvances, it is caused to engage on one side the face of the mid-flange of the rail, and on the other side the outer face of the strap 3. Thus strap 4 serves as the locking member of the assembled device. It Will be observed of the offset ends of strap 1 that they constitute transversely extending hooks, and it will be observed that by virtue of the fact that these hooks are transverse in their extent, the strap may be applied and func tion in the manner described. It Will be observed of both straps that they may be applied and removed and the splice made and broken without any necessary bending of the straps, or either of them.

The straps are advantageously made of rustresisting spring steel. It is a boltless connection and, the parts being made of rust-resisting material, they continue to be readily removable and replaceable, even though subjected to such destructive conditions as are found in coal mines. The connection is secure and yet may with case be broken and completed again at will. This renders it serviceable in far higher degree than if liable to be rusted in place and after service separable only by aid of a chisel. By using spring steel, the connection adapts itself to use on switches, where swinging movement in a length of rail is requisite. The structure makes bearing against the ail head from beneath and engages four orifices through the webs of the rails, and thus is strong to resist tendencies of the rail ends to move relatively in vertical direction. Relative movement in lateral direction is resisted by the lateral clamping which the hooked ends of strap 4 afford when extending through the orifices prepared for them they engage the seated strap 3. i

I claim as my invention:

1. A splice for rails including two straps adapted to extend upon opposite sides of two rails placed end to end the straps being provided with offset ends adapted to penetrate orifices formed in the rails, the offset end of one of the straps terminating in a longitudinally extending tongue, adapted to lie longitudinally upon the face of the rail to which application is made, and the offset ends of the other strap being hoolcshaped in transverse plane and adapted when the parts are in place on opposite sides of abutting rail ends to take over the body of the coinpanion strap.

2. A splice for rails including a long strap and a short strap adapted to extend along opposite sides of two rails placed end to end and at their ends to penetrate orifices formed in the rails, the long strap being provided with means for looking it to place upon the rails and the short strap being provided with means for engaging the long strap when the latter is locked to place.

3. A splice lor rails including a long strap and a short strap adapted to extend along opposite sides of two rails placed end to end and at their ends to penetrate orifices formed in the rails, the long strap at its ends being provided with longitudinally extending railengaging tongues, and the short strap at its ends being provided with laterally extending strap-engaging hooks.

l. A splice for rails including a long strap extending longitudinally upon the n1id-webs of two rails aligned end to end the strap at its ends engaging the rail bodies and intermediate its ends bearing upon the railhead, and a second strap extending longitudinally upon the mid-webs of the two said rails, but upon the side opposite that upon which the first strap extends, the said second strap at its ends penetrating the rails and engaging the first strap.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANDREW S. KARE. 

